At&t Mobility II LLC

Agere Systems Inc.

At&t Intellectual Property I, LP

Ming-Ju Ho

Iftekhar Alam

Patrick Mascarenhas

Stalin Fernando Albanes

Ali Jabbary

Allenn Han

Michael Scott Rawles

Alexander Viox

Dukhyun Kim

Ramzi Barghouthi

John Leslie Blair

Effendi Jubilee

Craig Mullings

Raymond R Thomas

Fan Fei

Wen-Kai Yen

Marcel Johannes Gerhardus Vriikorte

Marcel Johannes Gerhardus Vrijkorte

Clinton Harper

Randall K Weinstein

The technologies described herein are generally directed to using dynamically layered beamformed control signals in a fifth generation (5G) network or other next generation networks. For example, a method described herein can include, identifying a group of different directions radiating from beamforming antenna equipment of base station equipment. The method can further include facilitating transmitting a first beamformed signal according to a first direction of the group of different directions. Further, the method can include facilitating transmitting a second beamformed signal according to a second direction of the group of different directions, with the second direction being selected based on a sequence of directions, and where transmitting beamformed signals to the group of different directions is based on the sequence of directions can facilitate establishment of wireless coverage for a corresponding geographic area.

Dynamically layered beamformed signals for fifth generation (5G) wireless communication systems or other next generation wireless communication systems

The concepts and technologies disclosed herein provide a network-assisted secure access ('NASA') application that is installed on a user device. The NASA application can enhance current multi-factor authentication processes to prevent unauthorized access by leveraging mobile connectivity data. The enhanced two-factor authentication process is made seamless and transparent to the user by authenticating the mobile connectivity data with data known to the mobile network that serves the user device. The mobile connectivity data can include network-determined location, cell identifier ('cell ID'), Internet protocol (&#x201c;IP&#x201d;) address, a globally unique temporary identifier (&#x201c;GUTI&#x201d;), combinations thereof, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, one or more user profiles (e.g., user-defined and/or social media profile(s)) can be used to further enhance security. The enhanced two-factor authentication process can be executed at initial access to establish a secure connection and/or at any time during an established connection to ensure the connection remains secure.

Network-assisted secure data access

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method including detecting, by a processing system comprising a processor, wireless communication servers that are available for providing content via first wireless communication links to a wireless communication system, receiving unused data capacity information from the wireless communication servers, aggregating comprising a processor, the unused data capacity information from the wireless communication servers to identify broadband bandwidth, receiving, by the processing system, a request for first content from a customer premises device, assigning a first portion of the broadband bandwidth for receiving the first content from the wireless communication servers, requesting the first content from the wireless communication servers according to the assigning, receiving the first content from the wireless communication servers, and transmitting the first content to the customer premises device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Method and apparatus for distributing content via a wireless communication network

Establishing and refining beams in MIMO sessions can include detecting establishment of a communication session between a cell site and a user equipment. The communication session can be conducted using a multi-input multi-output beam that can be supported by a first portion of an antenna array, the first portion including two or more antenna array elements of the antenna array. Device data that relates to the user equipment can be obtained, where the device data can include movement data that can describe a movement of the user equipment. A beamforming command can be generated to include instructions that, when implemented by an entity associated with the cell site, can cause the cell site to refine the multi-input multi-output beam based on the device data. A refined multi-input multi-output beam can be supported by a second portion of the antenna array. The beamforming command can be provided to the cell site.

Establishing and refining beams in MIMO sessions

Improvement of data throughput via backhaul sharing is accomplished by accessing a cell site servicing data transmission at a first data rate and a connected backhaul network having a backhaul data rate. A determination of whether the first data rate exceeds the backhaul data rate is made and an excess data rate is determined. When the first data rate exceeds the backhaul data rate a neighboring cell site having a second backhaul networks is accessed. A determination is made of how much additional capacity the second backhaul network can handle. When the neighboring cell site can handle the excess data rate backhaul sharing using beamforming is initiated.

Methods, systems and computer programs for improving data throughput via backhaul sharing

The disclosed technology is directed towards a frame-based indicator that can convey current network condition information and the type and quality of service currently available. The frame-based indicator can fit the shape of a user equipment, such as surrounding the display screen. The frame can be used to indicate various network information, including, but not limited to signal power, signal quality, noise, type of band available, network speeds and network latency. Network quality and types of services can be differentiated by frame size, frame pattern, frame color, frame color intensity, frame background gradient, frame flash pattern, frame animation, and so forth. The operating system and application programs can use the frame-based indicator to convey the various network-related information.

Frame-based network condition indicator for user equipment including for 5G or other next generation user equipment

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method in which a processing system receives a signal transmitted from a first media presentation device presenting media content; the signal includes a request to discontinue providing the media content to the first media presentation device and begin providing the media content to a second media presentation device. The method also includes transmitting a link to a destination associated with the second device, and transmitting a portion of the media content to the second device; this portion corresponds to a predetermined time period commencing with transmission of the signal. In response to selection of the link, the media content portion is presented at the second device, and the media content is provided to the second device corresponding to a time period commencing with expiration of the predetermined time period. Other embodiments are disclosed.

System and method for switching video presentations between devices

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method comprising receiving first media content from first equipment of a first source, transmitting the first media content to a first base station having a first coverage area for transmission from the first base station to a user device through multi-cast while the user device is within the first coverage area, and transmitting the first media content to a second base station having a second coverage area for transmission from the second base station to the user device through unicast while the user device is within the second coverage area. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Digital media delivery

Methods, systems, and apparatuses may dynamically enhance a first network bandwidth with bandwidth available in one or more other networks based on user bandwidth needs and network bandwidth availability. A gateway apparatus may monitor the user desired bandwidth, determine that the desired bandwidth is greater than a first threshold bandwidth (e.g., a first network digital subscriber line (DSL) service bandwidth), activate a connection to a second network (e.g., a Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobility network), derive the second network available bandwidth, and use at least a portion of the second network available bandwidth with the first network bandwidth to provide at least a portion of the desired bandwidth (e.g., improve user Internet speed). Thus, the gateway apparatus may enhance the first network bandwidth when needed and may avoid negatively impacting the second network by using the second network connection to transfer data if the second network has bandwidth available.

Enhanced U-Verse/DSL internet services

A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a processor which when executing computer instructions performs the operations including receiving network operator-approved credentials associated with a first communications device. Pre-assigned network resources are accessible by the first communications device by way of the network operator-approved credentials. The processor also performs operations including replicating the network operator-approved credentials, and receiving a request from a second communications device for access to the pre-assigned network resources of the first communications device. A copy of the replicated network operator-approved credentials is forwarded to enable the second mobile device to access the pre-assigned network resources. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Alpharetta, GA, United States of America

Ming-Ju Ho